Marlins Speedsters Surprise with Early Stolen Base Surge

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The Miami Marlins have come out of the gate in 2026 with an unexpected burst of stolen bases, led by young outfielders Owen Caissie and Griffin Conine. While the team's established speedsters like Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez have also contributed, it's these two lesser-known players who have caught attention with their early base-stealing exploits, raising hopes that Miami could challenge for the MLB stolen base title this season.

Why it matters

The Marlins have traditionally been an aggressive base-running team, but their early stolen base surge in 2026 suggests they may take that element of their game to new heights this year. If players like Caissie and Conine can sustain their early success, it could provide a major boost to Miami's offense and make them a more exciting team to watch.

The details

Through the first two games of the season, the Marlins have already racked up 5 stolen bases, good for second-most in MLB. This comes after the team finished 7th in steals last year. While established Marlins speedsters like Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez have contributed, it's the surprising performances of outfielders Owen Caissie and Griffin Conine that have turned heads. Caissie and Conine, who are not known for their blazing speed, have each recorded a stolen base already, with Caissie reaching an above-average sprint speed of 27.9 feet per second on his first career steal.

• The Marlins have stolen 5 bases through the first 2 games of the 2026 season.
• Last season, the Marlins finished 7th in MLB in stolen bases.

What’s next

The Marlins will look to continue their aggressive base-running approach as they take on the Colorado Rockies in the next series, hoping to build an early lead in the stolen base race.